Reference Number: 12D/063
A summary of Programme progress and the key information being published.
Reference Number: 12D/033
Open Date: 05/04/2012
Close Date: 01/06/2012
This consultation document seeks views on a proposed framework for smart metering consumer engagement. It includes proposals about the roles of different parties; the needs of the non-domestic sector; the case for some centralised engagement activity; and how this might best be delivered. A set of draft licence conditions is included.
Government response
This response document sets out the Government’s Smart Meter Consumer Engagement Strategy. It sets out the aims of the Consumer Engagement Strategy, the Government’s conclusions on what constitutes effective engagement, and a delivery framework for domestic and non-domestic consumer engagement.
It also examines how consumer engagement could help exploit synergies between smart metering and other energy efficiency policies and initiatives, and describes how the implementation of the Strategy will be monitored and evaluated.
Reference Number: 12D/024
Open Date: 05/04/2012
Close Date: 01/06/2012
This consultation document seeks views on a proposed framework for smart metering data access and privacy. This includes proposals about the levels of access that that suppliers, network operators and third parties should have to energy consumption data from smart meters, for which purposes, and the choices that consumers should have about this. This builds on the earlier Call for evidence on data access and privacy.
Government response
This consultation response sets out the Government’s conclusions on consumer, supplier, network operator and third party access to energy consumption data from smart meters. It includes finalised licence conditions on suppliers and network operators.
Alongside the Data Access and Privacy framework, and in line with best practice, the Government has developed this Privacy Impact Assessment. Its purpose is to ensure that any perceived privacy impacts have been identified and arrangements are in place to manage them.
The Government commissioned research with the objective of gaining a better understanding of the extent to which the Government’s proposals, as set out in the April consultation document, address potential consumer concerns about data access and privacy and whether the Government is pitching its data access and privacy proposals at the right level, from a consumer point of view.
Reference Number: 12D/030
Open Date: 05/04/2012
Close Date: 01/06/2012 (16/05/2012 for Licence Applications Regulations)
Seeking views on a set of draft licence conditions for the DCC, which will be responsible for the services which are needed to communicate with smart meters, and the draft statutory instrument containing the Regulations for applying for the licence to be the DCC. Consultation on the licence conditions for the DCC closes on 1 June; and on the licence application regulations to be the DCC on 16 May.
Government response
This response, published on 28 September 2012, sets out the Government’s conclusions and the legal drafting of the Electricity and Gas (Competitive Tenders for Smart Meter Communication Licences) Regulations 2012 (ie the DCC Licence Application Regulations).
Responses to the Consultation
Government Response published 08 November 2012
Reference Number: 12D/034
Open Date: 05/04/2012
Close Date: 01/06/2012
Seeking views on the proposed arrangements by which energy market participants will access and use the services of the DCC to interface remotely with smart metering equipment in consumers’ premises.
Government response
The Government response to this consultation in included in the Stage 1 of the Smart Energy Code: a Government response and a consultation on draft legal text, published on 8 November 2012.
Responses to the Consultation
Reference Number: 11D/957
Open Date: 10/02/2012
Close Date: 23/03/2012
This consultation document seeks stakeholder views on a draft Statutory Instrument that will enable the licensing of a new national provider of communications services to and from gas and electricity smart meters, to be referred to as the Data and Communications Company (“DCC”).
The government response was published on 5 July 2012.
The Electricity and Gas (Smart Meters Licensable Activity) Order (ie ‘the Prohibition Order’) has been signed and came into force on 19 September 2012, following successful completion of the Parliamentary process.
The final legal text of the Order is available on the Legislation website.
Consultation responses
Reference Number: 11D/868
Open Date: 29/09/2011
Close Date: 24/11/2011
Detail policy design is set out in order to gain stakeholders’ views on the regulatory and commercial framework that should apply to the Data and Communications Company (DCC). The consultation covers the process for appointing and awarding a licence to the initial DCC, guidelines to apply to DCC in adopting communications contracts for compliant smart meters installed prior to DCC being operational, and the establishment of the requirements for smart meter communications services to be provided by DCC.
The Government response for this forms part of the Data and Communications Company (DCC) Licence Conditions and Licence Application Regulations consultation, issued on 5 April 2012.
Consultations responses
Reference Number: 11D/836
Open Date: 18/08/2011
Close Date: 13/10/2011
Draft licence conditions are set out in order to gain stakeholder views on the roll-out completion date – the point from which any meter installed will have to be smart and on the provision of In-Home Displays. There are also a number of related policy questions.
In addition, this consultation describes proposals to establish the technical specifications for smart metering equipment and proposed approach to developing these specifications, including a number of detailed technical questions.
Government response
This response, published on 5 April 2012, sets out the licence conditions and technical specifications for the roll-out of Smart Metering in Great Britain, including the central requirement on suppliers to roll out smart meters and in-home displays and to do so by 31 December 2019.
Smart Metering equipment technical specifications (SMETS)
The Secretary of State designated the first version of the Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications (SMETS) as defined in the energy supplier licence conditions for the rollout of gas and electricity smart metering equipment on 18 December. The SMETS describes the minimum physical, functional, interface and data requirements of smart metering equipment installed to comply with the rollout licence conditions.
An explanatory memorandum has been prepared to provide further background information and is available:
Consultations responses
Reference Number: 11D/837
Open Date: 18/08/2011
Close Date: 10/11/2011
Draft licence conditions are set out to gain stakeholder views' on the requirements on electricity and gas suppliers to develop and adhere to code(s) of practice governing the installation of smart meters at domestic and micro-business sites.
Government response
This sets out the rules requiring suppliers to develop a Code of Practice that covers a range of key areas around the installation process. The rules state that there should there should be no sales during the installation visit, that Installers must provide energy efficiency advice as part of the visit, and that they will need the consumers permission in advance of the visit if they are to talk to them about their own particular products.
Government response
Consultations responses
Reference Number: 11D/838
Open Date: 18/08/2011
Close Date: 13/10/2011
This call for evidence seeks views and further evidence to support policies the Government is developing on the privacy framework for smart metering. This builds on the position set out in the Government response to the prospectus published in March 2011.
Response
The Government’s Call for Evidence on data access and privacy ran from August to October 2011. Stakeholders and members of the public were invited to submit evidence and comments. In total, 45 responses were received from a range of stakeholder groups.
Respondents can be categorised roughly as follows:
- 12 responses from energy suppliers;
- 10 responses from technical solutions and communications organisations;
- 8 responses from energy services companies (such as energy management companies and energy consultants);
- 4 responses from network operators;
- 3 responses from consumer or campaign groups;
- 3 responses from trade associations;
- 3 responses from academics or professional institutions; and
- 2 responses from regulators.
Non-confidential responses are published below:
The Smart Metering Implementation Programme Data access and privacy consultation document contains a summary of these responses (Annex B)